Apparatus for charging samples to analyzing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for charging samples to an analyzing apparatus in a prescribed time sequence having a conveyor for sequentially moving a series of tray receivers into a charging position relative to the analyzing apparatus, a reciprocable charging rod for moving a tray containing a sample from its respective tray receiver on the conveyor into the analyzing apparatus and having a hook thereon for removing the tray from the analyzing apparatus following analysis, and a device for unloading the residue of the analysis from the tray into a collecting box.

United States Patent 1191 Nakamura et a].

1451 May 1, 1973 APPARATUS FOR CHARGING SAMPLES TO ANALYZING APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Toshimi Nakamura; Hiroyuki Koide,

. both of Kitakyushu, Japan Mitsubishi Chemical Industries 1411., Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: May 5, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 140,347

[73] Assignee:

[52] US. Cl ..214/302, 73/190 R, 198/19, 214/311 51 1111. C1. ..G01n 31/08 [58] Field of Search ..214/1.1, 1.2, 1 R, 214/302, 311; 198/19; 250/106 R; 177/50,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1970 Kim et al ..73/422 GC X 6/1962 Kern ..2l4/l6.4 R X 6/1966 Frank et al ..2l4/16.4 R

Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Frank E. Werner Attorney-Oblon, Fisher & Spivak [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for charging samples to an analyzing apparatus in a prescribed time sequence having a conveyor for sequentially moving a series of tray receivers into a charging position relative to the analyzing apparatus, a reciprocable charging rod for moving a tray containing a sample from its respective tray receiver on the conveyor into the analyzing apparatus and having a hook thereon for removing the tray from the analyzing apparatus following analysis, and a device for unloading the residue of the analysis from the tray into a collecting box.

13 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures P ATENTEU H915 3,730,364

' SHEET1UF3 INVENTOR5 HIROYUKI K0105 TOSHIMI NAKAMURA ATTORNEYS PATENTEU WW 1 7 SHEET 2 BF 3 F GS F GS

FIG.3

PATENTEDIW 1 mv SI'i'LET 3 OF 3 FIG.7

'Flea APPARATUS FOR CHARGING SAMPLES TO ANALYZING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an apparatus for charging samples, and more particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for sequentially charging samples to an analyzing apparatus.

2. The Prior Art:

In providing adequate quality controls in various industries, it is necessary to sequentially analyze samples which are intermittently taken from a body of material being supplied to a production line. Sequentially charging samples of fluid, such as a gas sample, to an analyzing apparatus is easily accomplished, usually by employing an automatically controlled valve.

However, various difficulties have been encountered in sequentially charging samples of a solid or paste being sampled intermittently from a body of such material. There have been various proposals to overcome these difficulties, however, each one seems to be accompanied by some disadvantage when employed in an industrial usage.

The most remarkable and general disadvantage is that there remains an ash or other residue of the reactant and resultant product in the analyzing apparatus following any analysis, thereby causing the accuracy of analysis to be adversely affected. In order to overcome this difficulty, a tray has been used for charging the sample, but this involves a time-consuming hand operation for inserting and removing the tray from the analyzing apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for automatically sequentially charging samples to an analyzing apparatus and not requiring any manual operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus for sequentially charging samples to an analyzing apparatus wherein all of the ash and other residue of the reactant and resultant product are removed during each cycle of operation, thereby giving rise to a highly accurate result.

These and other objects can be attained according to this invention, with an apparatus for sequentially charging samples to an analyzing apparatus which comprises means for setting a tray by turning a conveyor having a series of tray receivers with a time sequence, means for inserting a tray containing a sample from the conveyor into an analyzing apparatus, and means for returning the tray from the analyzing apparatus after the analysis, each tray containing the sample being inserted and returned by a sample charging rod in each cycle of operation. One of the features is that a tray can be withdrawn after returning from the analyzing apparatus. Another feature is that the tray can be returned on the tray receiver of the conveyor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of this invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designated like or corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. l is a plan view illustrating an apparatus for charging samples formed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment having provision for returning a tray from an analyzing apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a enlargement of a plan view of one embodiment of the construction of sample charging apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of one embodiment of a sample withdrawing apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of a sample charging apparatus constructed according to the invention; and

FIG. 8 is an enlargement of a portion of the sample charging apparatus shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-4, a conveyor 1 for sequentially moving samples to a predetermined position has a series of tray receivers 1' and a plurality of trays 2 respectively received therein for holding samples.

A reciprocating sample charging rod 3 has a hook 5 disposed at one end thereof for holding a sample tray, being actuated by an operating rod 4. The charging rod 3 is actuated by a bar 8 through a turning shaft 6, 6' for operating the hook 5 and a solenoid 7 for actuating the operating rod 4. A spring 9 positioned on the end of the operating rod 4 opposite the hook is held by a spring pawl 10 and is operative to normally maintain the hook in a raised position, as shown in FIG. 2. The sample charging rod 3 is reciprocably moved by a driving axle 11 through a wire 12, which is connected with a wiredrum 11, the driving axle 11 being operatively connected with a motor 13 and each of a set of limit switches 14, 15, 16 and 17, and has a rod 17 for actuating these limit switches during its reciprocating movement.

A tray 2 having an exhaust material therein after an analysis has been completed is received in a tray collecting box 18 when the tray 2 is transferred to a traywithdrawing plate 19. The sample is analyzed in an analyzing apparatus 20, such as a calorimeter.

In FIG. 5, which shows one embodiment of the sample charging apparatus, a column drum 21 having nails or projecting spikes 24, moves to transfer the trays 2 one by one, the drum being freely rotated when released by a stopper 22 actuated by a solenoid 23. Also cooperatively moveable with the conveyor 1 is ratchet wheel 25 which is contacted by a nail 24 and is rotatably jointed on its axle with an arm 26 having a pawl 27 secured thereto. The arm 26 is turned by the operation of a driving solenoid 28 pivotally connected at one end of the arm26, so that one ratchet is gained by the pawl 27.

A balance weight 29 is secured to the free end of the arm 26 and a limit switch 30 and another limit switch 31 are positioned on opposite sides of the path of travel of the arm for controlling the operation thereof, as will be set forth hereinbelow.

In FIG. 6, a tray withdrawing apparatus is illustrated, there being a tray-withdrawing plate 19 for the box 18 being operated by a solenoid 32 which pivotally drops the tray-withdrawing plate 19 connected to the axle 33 of the solenoid about a fulcrum 34. A detecting projection lever 35 detects the withdrawal of a tray from the slanting plate 19, a limit switch 36 for resetting a new sample being actuated by being contacted by the tray as it drops into the box 18.

The operation of the apparatus for charging a sample in accordance with this invention will now be described in detail.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a suitable number of trays 2 holding the samples are received on the tray receivers 1' of the sample charging conveyor 1. When a starting switch, not shown, is closed, the sample-charging apparatus is operated to move a tray 2 holding a sample in front of the sample charging rod 3.

The motor 13 then operates to run the driving axle 11, so that the wire 12 is wound or moved to progress the sample-charging rod 3 and to feed the tray 2 into the analyzing apparatus, passing through the plate of the box 18. When the limit switch 14 is contacted by the limit switch-actuating projection 17' connected at the rear edge of the rod 3, the motor 13 is reversely operated so that the sample-charging rod 3 is returned back to its original position and is stopped when the projection 17' contacts the limit switch 17.

In the foregoing operation, the limit switches 15 and 16 are not actuated, even when contacted by the projection 17. The tray 2 holding the sample may be kept in the analyzing apparatus 20, which may be, for example, a calorimeter, for a predetermined period of time as required for the analysis.

After the analysis, the motor 13 again may be operated to further progress the sample-charging rod 3. When the projection 17' contacts limit-switch'14, the solenoid 7 connected to the rear end of the rod 3 is actuated, as shown in FIG. 4, thereby compressing the spring 9 by moving the bar 8 thereagainst, thus causing the hook to be lowered by moving the operating rod 4 in a leftward direction. The hook 5 drops into the tray 2 being kept in the analyzing apparatus 20 after the analysis and the tray 2 having the hook hung therein is returned by returning the rod 3 by reversely driving the motor 13. When the limit switch actuating projection 17' contacts the limit switch 16 during this pass, the solenoid 32 is actuated toslant the tray-withdrawing plate 19, as shown in FIG. 6, at the same time that the tray 2 being returned from the analyzing apparatus is just on the plate 19 of the box 18. Accordingly, the tray 2 is dropped into the box 18 while being withdrawn. The sample-charging rod 3 continues to return until the projection 17 thereof actuates the limit switch 17. Meanwhile, the tray 2 withdrawn in the box 18 contacts the detecting projection or lever 35, thereby actuating the limit switch 36 for resetting and to prepare for the next cycle of operation.

Incidentally, the limit switch may be used for transferring the tray 2 holding a sample in front of the analyzing apparatus, such as in a preheating zone, not shown, without completely inserting the tray 2 into apparatus 20. When the limit switch actuating projection 17' contacts limit switch 15, therefore the limit switch 15 is operative to reversely drive the motor 13. Ac cordingly, limit switch 15 is generally set to be inactive in the usual test, and is used only for such twostepoperations of analysis.

The operation of the sample charging apparatus illustrated in FIG. 5 will now be described in greater detail.

When the starting switch is closed, the driving solenoid 28 is actuated to turn the arm 26 through an arcuate path, as shown in the dotted line, to thereby contact the limit switch 31, causing actuation thereof for stopping the operation of solenoid 28 and simultaneously to actuate the solenoid 23 for declutching the stopper 22 from the column drum 21. Arm 26 is thus returned to its original lowermost position by the balance weight 29, turning in one frame, the ratchet wheel 25 through the pawl 27.

Accordingly, the next succeeding tray 2 on the tray receiver of the conveyor 1 is set by turning the conveyor 1 through one frame in the left direction. When the arm 26 contacts the lower limit switch 30, the switch 30 is actuated to stop the operation of the solenoid 23 and to thereby engage the stopper 22 with the column drum 21.

In accordance with this invention, many samples can be automatically analyzed with high efficiency simply by placing each sample on a respective tray and putting each tray on a respective tray receiver. In the apparatus of this invention, a switching circuit can be used for switching the operation of the limit switches. Various types of samples can be charged by the apparatus of this invention for analyzing them, including solid samples such as powder and pellets, paste samples and liquid samples. The sample charging apparatus of this invention obviously can be employed with various types of analyzing apparatus, depending upon the purpose of the test.

The shape of the tray can be selected according to the particular analyzing apparatus. It is even possible to join the tray and the charging rod by an electromagnetic contactor. Some iron piece may be molded on the edge of the tray in such cases for joining it to a rod having an electromagnetic controller. The reciprocating sample charging rod can be provided with a pinch or a hook for holding the tray, and the tray can be provided with a supporter for the charging rod hook. If desired, the tray-collecting box can be provided at the front end of the analyzing apparatus in line with the charging rod. The sample can be held on the tray by an automaticweighting apparatus, as well as a hand-weighting. As in the aforedescribed apparatus, the conveyor should be intermittently turned, depending upon the period of analysis. After being returned from the analyzing apparatus, the tray may be reused following cleaning. The sequential movement of the conveyor also can be accomplished through an electric motor connected to a timer or a pendulum, however, the conveyor should be stoppable during the analysis. A heater for drying, a heater for gas generation, a furnace for ignition, and an electrical meter, an optical meter or a weighting meter also are included in the analyzing apparatus. One typical analyzing apparatus is an S0 gas generator, for coal, wherein the generated S0 gas is measured by a permanganate method. However, the analyzing apparatus is not limited to such examples.

Another embodiment of this invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, wherein a tray 39, a tray receiver 38 and a box 40 are different from the corresponding elements of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. In FIGS. 7 and 8, each tray 39 is returned to its tray receiver 38 after an analysis, and the tray 39 is then held upside down on tray receiver 38 as the conveyor 1 progresses for removing ash of the sample therefrom dumping it into the box 40. For this purpose, opposite edges of the tray receiver 38 of the conveyor 1 are inwardly bent to make guides and a groove is provided on each side of the trays 39 for sliding the guides of the tray receivers 38 therewithin for connecting the grooves with the guides. Accordingly, the tray 39 is held on the tray receiver 38 when the conveyor 1 is turned to dispose the tray in an upside-down state. However, the tray 39 can be freely moved in the direction of the groove so that the tray 39 can be inserted into the analyzing apparatus by the reciprocating sample charging rod 3, which removes it from the tray receiver 39.

After the analysis has been completed, the tray 39 having the ash of the sample therein is returned by the charging rod 3 to be reconnected with the tray receiver 38. Then, without withdrawing the tray 39 from the tray receiver in a tray collecting box, such as box 18 in the former embodiment, the tray 39 may be readied for reuse after turning it on the conveyor 1 to naturally deposit the ash 41 of sample therefrom into the box 40. In order to fully insure complete removal of the ash from the tray 39, a brush or air injection may be used.

The resetting can be accomplished by using the limit switch 17, as in the former embodiment. In this operation, the charging rod 3 can be operated by using a rack and pinion jack instead of the wire 12, if desired.

Obviously, many other modifications and variations of this invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the teachings herein and the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by letters patent of the United States is:

1. An apparatus for sequentially charging samples to an analyzing apparatus for analysis comprising:

conveyor means having a series of tray receivers for positioning trays in predetermined time sequence relative to said analyzing apparatus;

means for inserting said trays containing said samples into and for removing said trays from said analyzing apparatus; and

means for controlling the operation of said tray inserting and removing means, whereby said insert ing and removing means sequentially inserts at least one of said trays into said analyzing apparatus, then is withdrawn from said analyzing apparatus leaving said at least one of said trays therein, and then is reinserted into said analyzing analyzing apparatus.

. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said sample charging rod has a hook at the end thereof for holding said tray.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 further comprising timing means for controlling the operation of said sample charging rod during an analysis.

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said means for controlling said means for inserting and removing said at least one of said trays further com prises a series of limit-switches.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein a solenoid controls the operation of said sample charging rod.

7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said sample-charging rod is operated by a movable endless wire driven by a motor controlled by limit switches.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said trays being moved in the direction of said conveyor means following analysis and removal thereof from said analyzing apparatus are returned to said tray receivers, and further comprising:

means for automatically disposing of residue in said trays following the return thereof to said tray receivers.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for collecting said at least one of said trays being moved from said analyzing apparatus in the direction of said conveyor means before return thereto.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein a detecting element is provided in said means for collecting said tray, in order to detect the collection of said tray and to start the next cycle of operation.

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9, further comprising a tray-withdrawing plate for receiving said tray upon removal from said analyzing apparatus and a solenoid for controlling the slant of said tray-withdraw.- ing plate, whereby said tray may be permitted to drop therefrom.

12. An apparatus in accordance with claim I, wherein said means for inserting and removing said trays feeds said trays in front of said analyzing apparatus for pretreatment, and then charges said trays into said analyzing apparatus.

13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a column drum for turning said conveyor means and a stopper for declutching said column drum to prevent operation of said drum. 

1. An apparatus for sequentially charging samples to an analyzing apparatus for analysis comprising: conveyor means having a series of tray receivers for positioning trays in predetermined time sequence relative to said analyzing apparatus; means for inserting said trays containing said samples into and for removing said trays from said analyzing apparatus; and means for controlling the operation of said tray inserting and removing means, whereby said inserting and removing means sequentially inserts at least one of said trays into said analyzing apparatus, then is withdrawn from said analyzing apparatus leaving said at least one of said trays therein, and then is reinserted into said analyzing apparatus to remove said at least one of said said analyzing apparatus to remove said at least one trays from said analyzing apparatus following said analysis by moving the same in the direction of said conveyor means.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for inserting and removing said trays comprises a charging rod reciprocably movable relative to said analyzing apparatus.
 3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said sample charging rod has a hook at the end thereof for holding said tray.
 4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 further comprising timing means for controlling the operation of said sample charging rod during an analysis.
 5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said means for controlling said means for inserting and removing said at least one of said trays further comprises a series of limit-switches.
 6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein a solenoid controls the operation of said sample charging rod.
 7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said sample-charging rod is operated by a movable endless wire driven by a motor controlled by limit switches.
 8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said trays being moved in the direction of said conveyor means following analysis and removal thereof from said analyzing apparatus are returned to said tray receivers, and further comprising: means for automatically disposing of residue in said trays following the return thereof to said tray receivers.
 9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for collecting said at least one of said trays being moved from said analyzing apparatus in the direction of said conveyor means before return thereto.
 10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein a detecting element is provided in said means for collecting said tray, in order to detect the collection of said tray and to start the next cycle of operation.
 11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9, further comprising a tray-withdrawing plate for receiving said tray upon removal from said analyzing apparatus and a solenoid for controlling the slant of said tray-withdrawing plate, whereby said tray may be permitted to drop therefrom.
 12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for inserting and removing said trays feeds said trays in front of said analyzing apparatus for pretreatment, and then charges said trays into said analyzing apparatus.
 13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a column drum for turning said conveyor means and a stopper for declutching said column drum to prevent operation of said drum. 